Information

Date_registered

1996-01-24

Brief_description

A farm dam, using water from the Vaalharts irrigation scheme; has submergent vegetation, a few reedbeds, some sedges, and extensive muddy shoreline. Counts for 1996 and 1997 are available. In this period 38 species were recorded, including Squacco Heron, Lesser Flamingo, Yellowbilled Stork, and Whitebacked and Knobbilled Ducks; Whitebacked Duck is always present. Most species occur in small numbers, but Redknobbed Coot occurs in good numbers in both seasons, and breeds. Some shorebirds are also quite numerous, and the highest counts of Blacksmith Plover (which breeds here), Wood Sandpiper and Ruff were recorded in summer 1997, but of Little Stint in summer 1996. Livestock grazing/trampling is an important threat; eutrophication, pollution by pesticide runoff, and overhead power lines are lesser threats.